Foreign Minister Tahsin Ertuğruloğlu said that they will not stand by and watch Greece and South Cyprus’s armament campaign on the island. Ertuğruloğlu stated that necessary measures will be taken in response to the steps taken by the Greek Cypriot Administration. The formation of a naval base could be one of these measures, Ertuğruloğlu said.
Foreign Minister Tahsin Ertuğruloğlu responded to the German news channel Deutsche Welle’s (DW) questions.
“The UN Security Council is responsible for causing the Cyprus problem.”
Referring to the US’s Cyprus policy, Minister Ertuğruloğlu said:
“Beliefs were put forward that ‘the US used to pursue a more balanced policy. But I don’t agree that it was very balanced then. It is well-known how influential the Greek lobby (National Rifle Association) in America is. It is a reality that the Pentagon is also making balancing initiatives in response to that effective Greek lobby. The Greeks have always been observed as more advantageous than we have, not only in the USA but also in the whole Western world. The embargoes and inhumane isolations imposed on us have not made anyone uncomfortable. The UN Security Council is accountable for the Cyprus problem, meaning the five countries. Turkish Cypriots have always been disadvantaged and only our motherland has looked out for us.”
“If necessary, we will teach our interlocutors a lesson”
DW Turkish news asked: “You said that the necessary measures were being taken, can you give details? Can increasing Türkiye’s military presence be an enhancement? There was a time when a naval base was mentioned?”
Ertuğruloğlu responded by saying…
“Of course, we are not going to sit and watch. In other words, we will not be bystanders helplessly watching while steps are being taken to threaten our security. We will continue to do whatever is necessary together with our motherland. But these are not issues that can be detailed. We all know about the drones that are deployed at the airport. As I stated before, I believe a naval base should be established. But such measures should not be advertised. The way to move is to follow the opposing side and respond, when necessary without hesitation, it’s that simple”
Ertuğruloğlu continued:
“The American army was to train the army of the Greek Cypriot National Guard. Against whom? We ask the Americans. Against whom? against the Russians? What does the Greek Cypriot national guard have against the Russians? The armament and training of the Greek Cypriot national army is a threatening policy against the Turkish Cypriots and Türkiye. So are we just going to sit and watch? We will take measures. If necessary, we will teach them a lesson”
“Russia may open an office here”
Reminding of the possibilities put forward that Russia could recognise the TRNC, with the influence of the Ukraine war, or flights could land at the new Ercan airport to be opened, or that Russia could open a representative office in the TRNC, Ertuğruloğlu said
“Firstly, the call made to the world by President Tayyip Erdogan at the UN General Assembly for the official recognition of the TRNC should be taken seriously by everyone. But this should not be interpreted that Russia has come to the point of recognizing the TRNC. The comments that are currently on the agenda are premature and, in my opinion, the result of dramatic journalism. The idea of opening an office, a representative office in the TRNC is on the agenda. Last year, the staff of the South Cyprus Russian Embassy came to our ministry and asked what our legislation was for opening an office in the North. We responded. An office can be opened here now. We have no objections. I’m sure they will open an office here, but this does not mean that Russia will recognize the TRNC. Why would they open an office with us? Because there are thousands of Russian citizens living in Northern Cyprus. Many have settled here. These Russians cannot cross to South Cyprus. The Greek Cypriots do not allow foreigners who have travelled via the TRNC ports to enter the South. Therefore, the reason is the much-needed consular services for thousands of Russians living here.”
Ertuğruloğlu continued:
“Do Russian tourists come here? Yes, they do. Do Russian planes land here? I do not know. We do not have such concrete information at the moment. To this day Russian citizens were brought here by Turkish companies such as Turkish Airlines (THY) or Pegasus. Can Russian planes, which are out of the scope of the European Union (EU) embargo, land in Türkiye and then take off and technically arrive in the TRNC? Yes, they can. But there is no concrete information on this issue. The opening of the new airport has also been delayed until 2023 for technical reasons. In other words, these are claims with no concrete basis at the moment, but I hope it will be possible, I hope that Russian planes land at Ercan and Russian tourists come here. We do not have a policy that excludes anyone. On the contrary, there is a world that excludes us.” he added.
